DUBAI // Working in the public sector has allowed Ahmed Al Hashemi to continue his education and improve his knowledge in the field of human resources.
The 28-year-old Emirati works in recruitment at a federal government office in Abu Dhabi.
He had always wanted to complete his education but found it difficult when he was working full-time in the private sector.
"The shorter working hours [from 7.30am until 2.30pm] gave me an opportunity to enrol myself in a well-known professional certification course related to human resources," said Mr Al Hashemi. "Since the classes are in the evening, I have time to go home, relax and spend time with my family before leaving again to attend the classes." He is also finishing an online bachelor's degree in HR management.
"I'm lucky to have a supportive department and my colleagues have always offered their help and advice with anything regarding my studies," he said. "The guaranteed holidays and two-day weekends give me time to focus on my university work, making it is easier to balance work responsibilities as well."
Mr Al Hashemi completed his high school diploma at the age of 20 because he struggled to adapt to the UAE education system after returning from the United States.
"I spent a large part of my life growing up in the US and was used to a completely different educational system," he said.
"We didn't have so many subjects to study at one time and we were expected to understand what was being taught to us.
"In the UAE, they give you about 14 subjects to study throughout the year and all we had to do was memorise. I became disenchanted with this system and decided to find an alternative way of finishing high school."
Over the past eight years, he worked for a semi-government body and two private companies before his career took off two years ago with his current employer.
Mr Al Hashemi believes working in the public sector is incorrectly perceived as an easy option.
"I've had the opportunity of being exposed to different trade shows and different aspects of the field that I haven't even heard of before," he said. "Contrary to what is always being said about the government sector, it can be very challenging and there are always very good opportunities."
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
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Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
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